Hazel's POV "Well, that was disappointing," I remarked with a chuckle, my voice light and mocking as I twirled another knife between my fingers. "I suppose I'll have to work on my aim..."The woman flinched at the sound of my laughter, her eyes widening with fear as she huddled closer to her children. And as I watched her retreat into herself, a sense of satisfaction washed over me My gaze lingered on the woman and her children huddled together in fear, my mind drifted back to the Blood Moon prophecy – a foreboding omen that had haunted my thoughts for months.I remembered the day I had visited the royal astrologer, seeking answers to the enigmatic prophecy that had cast a shadow over our kingdom. The old man had peered at me with clouded eyes, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke of astral portents and star wrought warnings."There is more to the prophecy than meets the eye," he had said, his voice trembling with age.I had stormed into the dimly lit chamber, my rage simmer
Hazel's POV "Well, that was disappointing," I remarked with a chuckle, my voice light and mocking as I twirled another knife between my fingers. "I suppose I'll have to work on my aim..."The woman flinched at the sound of my laughter, her eyes widening with fear as she huddled closer to her children. And as I watched her retreat into herself, a sense of satisfaction washed over me My gaze lingered on the woman and her children huddled together in fear, my mind drifted back to the Blood Moon prophecy – a foreboding omen that had haunted my thoughts for months.I remembered the day I had visited the royal astrologer, seeking answers to the enigmatic prophecy that had cast a shadow over our kingdom. The old man had peered at me with clouded eyes, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke of astral portents and star wrought warnings."There is more to the prophecy than meets the eye," he had said, his voice trembling with age.I had stormed into the dimly lit chamber, my rage simmer
Hazel's POVThe astrologer hesitated then rushed to the table, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns etched into his charts. "One of the layers I have deciphered speaks of a great destiny," he murmured, his voice barely audible above the crackle of the flames. "It speaks of a chosen one, fated to return the light of the goddess to her children and usher in a new era of prosperity and peace."My steps faltered, the weight of his words sinking in. "What do you mean by 'return the light of the goddess'?" I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.The astrologer swallowed nervously, his gaze darting around as if seeking an escape. "It's... it's a metaphor," he stammered. "A symbol of restoring balance and harmony to the world perhaps."I felt a chill creep down my spine at his words, a sense of foreboding settling over me like a heavy cloak. "And who is this chosen one?" I demanded, my voice betraying a hint of desperation.The astrologer met my gaze with a solemn expression. "That, my
Mia's POV As the golden rays of the setting sun filtered through the dense canopy overhead, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor, I found myself lost in conversation with Lycidas. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and earth, the gentle rustle of leaves providing a soothing backdrop to our weary footsteps as we wandered through the ancient groves."So, what do you make of Martha's sudden change in demeanor?" Lycidas asked, his voice breaking the tranquil silence of the forest as he glanced over at me with a curious expression.I shrugged, a bemused smile playing at the corners of my lips as I mulled over the question. "Beats me," I replied, my tone laced with a mixture of amusement and confusion. "But I'm not complaining. Though it is nice to see her actually smiling for once, instead of glaring daggers at me every chance she gets."Lycidas chuckled, the sound echoing through the stillness of the evening like a melody of laughter. "True," he agreed,
Mia's POV As we trekked through the dense forest, the towering trees looming overhead, Lycidas suddenly halted in his tracks, his gaze fixed on a particularly tall specimen. "Hey, do you think this tree is the tallest?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.The towering tree loomed overhead, its branches reaching toward the sky like gnarled fingers grasping for the heavens. As I approached, a sense of awe washed over me at the sheer magnitude of the ancient giant.Lycidas's sudden question pulled me from my reverie, and I glanced up at the tree's towering canopy. "I don't know, maybe? I mean, it is certainly a contender," I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty. There were many tall trees in this section of the woods."Think so?" Lycidas mused."Yeah, why..."Before I could react or finish my sentence, Lycidas began to ascend the tree with practiced ease, his movements fluid and graceful as he expertly navigated the tangled branches. I watched in awe as he ascended higher an
Mia's POVI couldn't help but smile back, a sense of exhilaration coursing through me. "You were right," I admitted, my voice tinged with awe. "It's... it's beautiful."While I looked calm, beneath the surface, a whirlwind of emotions raged within me. My heart thundered in my chest, its beat echoing in my ears as I fought to steady my racing thoughts. And the racing thought was not because of the view. It may have something to do with Lycidas' hand that was still around my waist though. Just a slight chance. A tiny chance really. Yeah, a tiny chance.We sat in companionable silence, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the treetops. In that moment, I felt a profound sense of peace wash over me, a reminder of the simple joys that could be found in the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties. While Alpha Fenrir had advised us not to be out and about this late in the day, his warning and everything was hardly what was at the forefront of my mind right
Amelia's POVAs I made my way through the corridors of the palace, a sense of unease settled over me like a heavy shroud. Thoughts of my contact in the palace and the letter I had sent over last time weighed heavily on my mind, casting a shadow over my usual calm demeanor.Alpha Gonzales's dinner tray balanced precariously in my hands as I approached his study, the aroma of freshly cooked food mingling with the faint scent of parchment and ink that permeated the air. Pushing open the door, I found him frantically searching through stacks of papers and books, his expression one of frustration and agitation."Alpha Gonzales, what are you doing?" I asked, my voice tinged with concern as I set the tray down on his desk.He looked up, his eyes wild with panic. "The paper," he muttered, his voice strained. "I can't find it."I furrowed my brow, puzzled by his sudden urgency. "What paper?" I inquired, trying to keep my tone calm despite the rising tide of anxiety within me."The paper where
Amelia's POV I nodded in agreement, my pulse quickening with a mixture of anticipation and fear. With a shared glance, we stepped forward, our footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestones as we closed in on our quarry.The man turned at the sound of our approach, his eyes widening in alarm as he realized he had been discovered. Without a word, he bolted, his footsteps echoing through the silent night as he fled into the darkness.With a surge of adrenaline, we gave chase, our hearts pounding in our chests as we pursued him through the labyrinthine streets of the city. The illusory crow soared overhead, leading the way with a sense of purpose that seemed almost uncanny in its clarity........As the man darted off into the forest, my heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline surging through my veins as I followed in hot pursuit alongside Alpha Gonzales. The trees loomed overhead, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows that danced across the forest floor.The moon hung low in th
Mia's POVA stone struck true, pulverizing the creature's eye with a sickening crunch. With a howl of agony, the wolf collapsed to the ground, its lifeblood staining the earth beneath it. As the last vestiges of life faded from its eyes, I breathed evenly and transformed back. Running up quickly, I jumped and kissed my mate. The flames on his hair were hot but they were not unbearable and they died down as he held me and kissed me back. It took all my willpower to break free from him and let us breath. Strands of sticky saliva trailed our lips as we parted and I was flushed up to my ears, breathless."Mia?" He breathed, looking at me in surprise.I would have grinned at him if I were not too busy being stunned."Xavier?!" I exclaimed. "What in the world?! How? I thought...""You never did see me without my turban," he teased. And he was right come to think of it."So the memory loss...""I did lose my memory," he said, shaking his head. "But I guess could say that an eyeball helped me
Mia's POVHe was no corrupted - he was much worse.In a desperate bid to end the chaos, I shifted into my wolf form, my white fur shimmering in the dim light of the throne room. With a newfound agility, I darted around the monstrous creature, my speed unmatched as I evaded its savage blows.But Hazel was relentless, his attacks coming fast and furious as he sought to overpower me with sheer brute force. With each passing moment, the battle grew more intense, the clash of claw and sinew echoing throughout the chamber.I ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding each blow as I fought to keep the creature at bay. But despite my best efforts, I could feel my strength waning, the relentless pace of our battle taking its toll on my weary body..The battle raged on, each blow striking home with deadly precision as I fought to bring Hazel to his knees. With a primal snarl, I launched myself at the creature once more, my claws tearing through its flesh with savage ferocity.With one final, decisiv
Mia's POV"Yeah," I grinned at her. "Now please someone tell me what is going on? How did everyone get here?""There is little time for that," Amelia said, a scary amount of hope alight in her eyes. "Alpha King Hazel has gone mad and he is turning people left and right corrupted." I could see that everyone was surprised to hear this. But the forest itself whispered to me that she spoke the truth. "But he also has a way to cure the corruption. It is a wand in beneath his throne."I smiled at her and gazed out at the Sulfur Hands gathered. I did not see Lycidas but that was not a problem. I was certain he was alright."Well guys, it is the night of the blood moon. I have to tell you that I've got a castle to storm so come on out all of you and get away already. You've all done your part for me. Let me do mine for you."I saw them off and turned to face the vague direction of the palace.The eyeball (I could not get its name) had told me; Blood Moon prophecy Layer 5: The Inheritor shall
Mia's POVWith a surge of adrenaline, I plunged the knife into the creature's main body, my hands steady despite the trembling of my limbs. The blade sank deep into its flesh, eliciting a guttural roar of pain as the creature thrashed and writhed beneath me. Each movement was a dance of desperation, a desperate bid for survival against an opponent that seemed unstoppable.But even as I fought with all the strength and skill I could muster, I could feel the tendrils of exhaustion creeping into my limbs, sapping my strength and clouding my thoughts. How many times had I faced this creature? How many times had I died, only to wake and face it once again?The creature's death throes were violent and chaotic, its massive form convulsing with the last vestiges of life as it fought against the inevitable. But I was relentless, my resolve unshakeable as I drove the knife deeper and deeper into its flesh, refusing to let up until the creature lay still and silent beneath me.With a final, ragg
Hazel's POVAs I stand in the dimly lit chamber, the vial of corrupted blood held delicately between my fingers, I can feel the weight of expectation bearing down upon me. Zion's eyes bore into me with a pensive gaze, his expression unreadable as he observes my every move. The air is heavy with anticipation, charged with the possibility of what is to come.With a steady hand, I bring the vial to my lips and drink deeply, allowing the thick, viscous liquid to slide down my throat. The taste is metallic, tinged with a hint of something dark and otherworldly. But as the last drop passes my lips, I feel no surge of power, no sudden transformation. I am not surprised.I never expected the corrupted blood to grant me any sort of supernatural abilities. My purpose in drinking it was not to gain power, but to align myself with the prophecy, to force my way into its narrative. And in that regard, I believe I have succeeded.As I lower the vial, I meet Zion's gaze with a sense of calm resolve.
???'s POV Amidst the vast expanse of the celestial realm, I found myself floating among the stars, my consciousness adrift in a sea of cosmic wonders. Suddenly, a commanding voice reverberated through the void, pulling me from my reverie with its otherworldly resonance."Little thing," the voice called out, its words echoing through the cosmos like the distant rumble of thunder. Startled, I responded tentatively, my voice barely a whisper in the vastness of space. "Who... who's there?"I was ignored as the voice continued to speak. I listened intently as the voice spoke of the troubles that plagued mortals, of the ebb and flow of life, and of the chaos that reigned in the mortal realm. The voice seemed to ramble on for a while, its words swirling around me like a whirlwind of cosmic energy. It spoke of mortals and their endless troubles, of how they always seemed to find new ways to bring chaos and destruction upon themselves. It seemed rather easy to notice that it was the 'eyeball'
???'s POVI opened my mouth to protest, to demand answers to the questions that burned within me, but she cut me off with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I don't want to hear it," she said coldly, her gaze hardening as she turned away from me. "Just go. Leave me alone. Go do whatever you want to. I don't care. My Lycidas is not here. Please, just... Stop. You truly are not Lycidas. I do not know who you are, but you are not my beloved."I stood there in stunned silence, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air between us. Part of me wanted to press her for answers, to demand to know what she meant by all of this. But another part of me knew that it was futile – that she would not deign to repeat herself. And even though I could not claim to know much else, I knew somehow that she was hundred percent certain that I was not Lycidas. And not in a character or behavioural kind of way. As in, I was fundamentally not Lycidas.With a heavy heart, I turned and walked away, the sound o
Lycidas' POVThe soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle illumination over Mia's room as I sat by her bedside, my fingers intertwined with hers as if holding onto a lifeline. The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest was the only indication of life, her face serene in slumber as she lay unconscious before me.I never realized how much I would miss her until now – the absence of her laughter, her vibrant energy, leaving a gaping hole in my heart that seemed impossible to fill. And yet, here she lay, so close yet so far, trapped in the grasp of an unknown darkness that threatened to consume her whole.I squeezed her hand gently, willing her to wake up, to return to me so that I could see the light in her eyes once more. But no matter how fervently I wished for her recovery, she remained still, her breathing steady but shallow, a silent reminder of the fragility of life.My mind drifted back to that fateful night when the ritual had gone awry, the memory of t
Amelia's POVI sat in the room with Alpha Gonzales and the injured Alpha Fenrir, my mind consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and worries. The conversation between the two Alphas drifted in and out of my consciousness, the words fading into the background as I struggled to focus on the present moment.My thoughts kept returning to the letter I had received just before setting off with Alpha Gonzales—a missive that had filled me with a sense of foreboding unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The words were etched into my mind, haunting me with their ominous implications.In my mind's eye, I saw the image of the small mouse, my faithful messenger, as it hurried into my room with urgent purpose. Its tiny paws had trembled as it presented me with the letter, a sense of urgency emanating from its very being. With trembling hands, I had broken the seal and unfolded the parchment, my heart sinking as I read the words inscribed upon it.The once cryptic message had become alarmingly